REALmag. #5

By Robert van Rixtel14-01-2018

REALmag. was founded in 2012 by Jan van Wessel (psychologist and designer) and Ab Bol (graphic designer). Each edition is a voyage of discovery around a theme that has to do with identity. The contributions to the magazine are all at the intersection of art and science.

#5 Fortune hunters and Wandering guestsIn the 17th century, a descendant of the family Van der Heim from the city of Hamm in Northern Germany sought refuge in the Netherlands. More than three centuries later an unsightly Bible in a plastic formica cover with a wood motif ends up quite by chance at the address of one of our editorial board members. In the booklet is a handwritten note of Godefrida van der Heim, one of the last descendants of this family.

The editors of REALmag decided to follow the track back and came across a history of wandering guests and fortune hunters. After all, it’s the search for happiness that pushes all of us forward in this life, isn’t it? And isn’t the chance that we will ultimately find this happiness just as great as the risk of getting lost on the way? In 21 articles artists, scientists and the editors of REALmag. are trying to find an answer to these questions.